Boehner Open to Ending Bush Tax Cuts

Appearing on CBS’ Face the Nation on Sunday, House GOP leader John Boehner (R-OH) said he was willing to vote in favor of letting the Bush-era tax cuts expire for the wealthiest Americans—but only if Democrats insist. While Boehner voiced his desire to continue the lower tax rates for families of all income levels, he said that if there’s no other option, he would vote in favor of legislation proposed by President Obama that would raise taxes for families earning more than $250,000 a year. “If the only option I have is to vote for some of those tax reductions, I’ll vote for them,” said Boehner. The new stance is viewed by some critics as a strategic move by a party that’s gaining momentum on the heels of midterms to put pressure squarely on the shoulders of the Democrats, who are divided over what to do about the Bush tax cuts that expire at year’s end.